The BBC's Orla Guerin in Moscow"This time Chechen rebels really are to blame, analysts say" real 56kRussian spokesman, Vladimir Andreyev"The vast majority of Russians are sure Chechen terrorists are to blame" real 56kChechen spokesman, Roman Khalilov"These bombs were used to gather public support for the war in Chechnya" real 56k

Tuesday, 8 August, 2000, 22:24 GMT 23:24 UK

Blast rocks Moscow subway

Victims being treated at the scene

A bomb has ripped through an underpass packed with hundreds of commuters and shoppers in central Moscow, killing eight people and injuring about 50.

The bomb went off during rush hour in one of the city's busiest subways, in Pushkin Square. A second bomb was found and defused near the scene of the blast.

Smoke pours from the subway

Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, said it was a terrorist attack carried out by Chechen rebels.

"The testimony from several witnesses who were able to answer questions in hospital shows ... it was 100% Chechnya," he said in an interview on NTV private television.

President Vladimir Putin has personally taken charge of the investigation, calling a meeting of top security and defense ministers.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the blast. Chechnya's president, Aslan Maskhadov, denied that rebel forces were involved.

Dozens injured

Smoke poured out of the underpass after the blast, with dozens of people emerging bleeding and with blackened faces.

Medics attend more of the wounded

There were of scenes of utter confusion, with crowds milling about and emergency services treating badly injured people lying in the road.

One woman was carried to an ambulance, her flesh burned and bleeding.

Another lay on the pavement, screaming as ambulance men bandaged her legs.